Deputy Manager - Children's Residential Home in Somerset

Location: Bridgwater

Contract: Full Time, Permanent

Hours: 38 hours per week, including shift work and sleep-in duties

Salary: Up to £38,955.18 per annum, inclusive of sleep-in payments

Responsible for: Team Leaders and Residential Support Workers

Make a Difference in a Child's Life

We are looking for an experienced, caring and confident Deputy Manager to join our children's home in Bridgwater. Our three-bed home is rated Good by Ofsted and is led by an experienced Registered Manager who will provide ongoing support and guidance. This is an opportunity to take the next step in your career, lead a committed staff team and help ensure that children receive high-quality, child-centred care every day.

About the Role

As Deputy Manager, you will work closely with the Registered Manager to lead the day-to-day operation of the home. You will provide visible leadership, support and develop the staff team and maintain strong safeguarding practice. You will also help create a stable and homely environment in which children can thrive.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the safe, effective and efficient day-to-day running of the home
• Deputise for the Registered Manager when required and provide confident leadership to the staff team
• Safeguard children at all times, respond promptly to concerns and ensure relevant policies, procedures and reporting requirements are followed
• Create a nurturing and consistent environment that reflects each child's needs, wishes, feelings and individual plans
• Lead, supervise, motivate and develop Team Leaders and Residential Support Workers, promoting accountability, reflective practice and high standards of care
• Support the implementation and ongoing review of care plans, risk assessments and placement objectives
• Develop positive working relationships with children, families, social workers, education providers and other professionals
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of the home's Statement of Purpose, organisational policies, relevant legislation, the Children's Homes Regulations and Quality Standards
• Promote equality, diversity, inclusion and anti-discriminatory practice throughout the home
• Support safe staffing arrangements, participate in the on-call rota and provide operational cover when required
• Help manage the home's budget, petty cash and resources responsibly
• Contribute to staff training, team meetings, quality assurance activities and continuous improvement within the home
• Coordinate annual leave with the Registered Manager to maintain effective management cover

About You

• Have at least two years' experience working directly with children, including supporting children who may display behaviours that challenge
• Hold a Level 3 qualification in Children and Young People's Workforce, or an equivalent qualification. Applicants currently working towards an appropriate Level 3 qualification may also be considered
• Be committed to starting a relevant Level 5 leadership and management qualification within six months of appointment, subject to successful completion of probation, if not already qualified
• Have current knowledge of safeguarding, childcare legislation, the Children's Homes Regulations and Quality Standards
• Have experience of working collaboratively with families, local authorities and other professional agencies
• Have leadership or supervisory experience, with the ability to motivate, support, develop and hold staff accountable
• Have clear written and verbal communication skills, including strong report-writing skills
• Have good organisational, administrative, numeracy and IT skills
• Have a calm, empathetic approach and a genuine commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for children
• Hold a full UK manual driving licence
• Be flexible to work shifts, sleep-ins, weekends and bank holidays and participate in the on-call rota
• Be willing to complete all required safer recruitment checks

What We Offer

• On-call payments of £10 for weekday duties and £50 for Saturday and Sunday on-call duties
• Ofsted bonus of £200 for a Good inspection outcome and £500 for an Outstanding inspection outcome
• Enhanced overtime rates
• Holiday allowance
• Company pension scheme with a 3% employer contribution
• Company mobile phone
• Training, ongoing professional development and opportunities for career progression
• Regular supervision and support from an experienced management team

Ready to Take the Next Step? If you are an experienced residential childcare professional who is ready to lead by example and help children feel safe, supported and able to thrive, we would be pleased to hear from you.

Headway Adolescent Resources is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates. Headway Adolescent Resources is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to thorough safer recruitment checks, including satisfactory references and an enhanced DBS check.